"Routine testing of children without symptoms is still interrupting children and teenagers’ school attendance and we do not believe this should continue. Instead, schoolchildren should be tested only if they have symptoms of COVID-19"
Dr Camilla Kingdon, RCPCH:
“We want schools to be enabled to rethink their approach to managing Covid. Children & teenagers need to focus on their education & school attendance must be encouraged without being interrupted by routine testing of asymptomatic children & teenagers"
RCPCH 13/9/21:
"Schoolchildren should be tested only if they have symptoms of Covid-19. At the same time, and as with other infections, they should not go to school if they are unwell.”
In that letter we explained why requiring masks in class, for minimal or no proven benefit, and without having assessed the risks to children's health, welfare and educational experience, is irrational, disproportionate and unlawful; not to mention morally vacant.
So, school closures are back on the agenda and the "crunch meeting" between @educationgovuk and @10DowningStreet is today. So, before the inevitable tragic error is made for a second time, let's talk about the effects of #longschoolclosure
We will start with the obvious, loss of learning. School closures deny children from all backgrounds the chance to get the education they need to build a bright future. It is estimated that every day of school closure equates to 40,000 years of lost education.
Digital divide. Lack of access to the internet, suitable computers and teaching resources means many children are excluded from online learning.
Variations in access to tech, are increasing inequalities in both academic attainment and social engagement.